Why we exist
Modernization in higher education is bigger than a system build. It changes how people work, how decisions are made, and how campuses operate every day. Yet too often, the technical build moves forward while the operational reality is left behind. We believe institutions deserve support that matches the weight of that change. ▸ Modernization Is Operational, Not Just Technical ERP and SIS implementations don’t just configure software. They shift workflows, reporting logic, and accountability. When the operational side isn’t addressed alongside the technical build, the friction shows up later in confusion, rework, and burnout. ▸ We’ve Been in That Gap Legato was founded by higher-ed leaders who lived through this tension ourselves. We experienced the space between “the system is live” and “the system actually works for us.” We saw what happens when ownership isn’t clear and usability isn’t prioritized. We knew there had to be a better way (spoiler alert - there is!). ▸ So We Built the Roadmap We Wanted We created the kind of support we once wished existed. It's something practical, structured, and grounded in campus reality. The kind that strengthens governance, improves usability, and builds internal confidence while the work is happening, not after things start breaking. ▸ Ownership Is the Real Win Our goal for you and your team is clarity and confidence. It’s teams who understand their system and feel capable of running it well long after implementation teams step away.
What makes Legato different
We’re not the largest firm in the room, but that’s exactly the point. We're big enough to see the whole system and small enough to care how it actually works and make it happen.
Independent by Design
Vendor-neutral and institution-focused. Our recommendations prioritize long-term operational strength over partner alignment.
Deep Workday Student Expertise
Specialized focus that allows us to anticipate downstream impacts and design solutions that hold up over time.
Nimble by Structure
Intentionally lean and free from big-firm bureaucracy, we respond quickly as institutional needs shift without slowing progress.
Practitioner-Led
Led by experienced higher-ed professionals who understand enterprise system realities from the inside.
Core Team + Curated Network
Principal consultants lead every engagement, supported by a carefully selected network of subject-matter specialists without big-firm layers.
Built for Sustainability
We design solutions your team can own, extend, and sustain long after implementation teams step away.
The Legato model
Legato operates with a core team of principal consultants who lead every engagement from start to finish.
Around that core, we engage a curated network of trusted specialists, including functional experts, reporting architects, trainers, governance advisors, and others who are selected for their depth and proven results in higher education.
This structure allows institutions to receive senior-level expertise and focused support without the layers and overhead of large consulting firms.
In short, with Legato Strategic you get the right expertise at the right moment built around your institution’s needs.

Director of Infrastructure and Enterprise Apps
Legato’s deep experience… can help your institution see around corners and tackle things that your implementation partner may not think to mention.

Workday Student Project Manager
Legato was an extension of our team… We simply would not have met our deadlines without their help and guidance.

AVP, Workday Enterprise Solutions
If you want a very knowledgeable resource that is going to be able to explain Workday Student to you in a way that academics can understand, Legato is definitely the way.
What our partners say
Insights for leaders
Let's talk about what's ahead
Bring your questions. We’ll help you think through what matters most.
Complete this form to request a 30-minute conversation about your priorities and next steps. No agenda. No strings.


